The vagus nerves branch off the brain on either side of the head and travel down the neck, along the esophagus to the heart and intestinal tract. They are the longest nerves in the body, and affect swallowing, speech, intestinal function, and circulation. The vagus nerves also connect to parts of the brain involved in seizures. In some seizure disorders, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerves may relieve symptoms.
Review Date: 6/6/2008 Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
